Knee decisions — 2024

The Board has denied the appellant's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for tension headaches and has remanded the issue of service connection for a left knee disability, to include degenerative arthritis.,A VA examination is required in order to determine if the appellant's current left knee condition may be related to his military service.

The Veteran's migraines, bilateral knee condition, lumbar spine disorder to include lumbosacral strain and degenerative disc space narrowing (lumbar strain), IBS, and erectile dysfunction were not found to be related to service.,Service connection was denied for all claimed conditions.

The Board denied increased disability ratings in excess of 10 percent for the service-connected right and left knee arthritis disabilities from March 19, 2020.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral knee disability based on recurrent subluxation or instability prior to March 17, 2023, is denied. A separate initial 10 percent rating, but no higher, for bilateral knee disability based on limitation of flexion under DC 5260 is granted.

The Veteran's left knee rating was restored to 20 percent effective May 1, 2020. The appeal for a higher rating remains denied.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been submitted to reopen claims for service connection for various disabilities, including right knee disability, left knee disability, low back disability, PTSD, and anxiety. The claims are being remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions. The case will be reviewed with a new examination.

The Veteran's right knee meniscal condition post-removal and instability were granted a rating of 10 percent each, effective as of February 27, 2019.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is found to be secondary to his service-connected psychiatric and right knee disabilities, with obesity acting as an intermediary step.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left knee disability, right ankle strain, and lumbosacral strain on a direct basis. The decision is based on credible lay evidence rather than complete medical opinions.

The Veteran's left knee disability and migraines are being remanded for further evaluation due to duty-to-assist errors. A VA examination is required to determine the nature and likely etiology of these conditions, including whether they are related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for migraine headaches and left knee degenerative arthritis need further development due to a duty-to-assist error.

The Board has determined that there are outstanding treatment records and SSA medical records which need to be obtained in order to make a full determination on the Veteran's claims. The Veteran is also required to undergo a VA examination for his right knee condition.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for right knee strain, left knee strain, lumbosacral strain, and left hip strain due to duty-to-assist errors. The Veteran's claims are being remanded to obtain adequate medical opinions regarding whether his lumbar spine, bilateral knee, and left hip disabilities are caused or aggravated by his service-connected pes planus and bilateral ankle disabilities.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection of left and right knee patellar tendonitis and sleep disturbances.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates before December 22, 2021, for the grant of service connection for left knee scar and left knee strain have been denied as they are not supported by evidence that an intent to file a claim was submitted within one year of his separation from active duty.

The Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date prior to November 2, 2017, and higher ratings for his heart disability and bilateral knee disabilities have been denied. The Board found that the earliest possible effective date is November 2, 2017, when VA received the claim after final disallowance. For the knee disabilities, the evidence did not show limitation of flexion to less than 30 degrees or more exacerbations per year.

The Board denied service connection for cervical spine, right shoulder, left shoulder, right wrist, left wrist, right hip, left hip, right knee, and left knee disabilities. The Veteran's claims for service connection for libido disorder and PTSD were also denied.,There was no evidence of a verified stressor event for the Veteran's PTSD claim.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding that new and relevant evidence was not submitted to warrant readjudication.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right knee and left knee disabilities are not related to his military service, and thus denied both claims for service connection.